How much do Make-Up Artist’s earn?

How to Become a Makeup Artist

If you’re deciding to become a Makeup Artist, you’ll naturally want to learn the answer to your most burning question…

“How much do makeup artists earn?”

The good news is that although Makeup Artistry is a very competitive industry, qualified and professional makeup artists can make a very decent living!

Australian makeup artists can expect to earn between $35,000 per year (at $17 per hour) and this is considered to be a low end of the spectrum, up to $105,000 per year (at $50 per hour). This is considered to be a high end of the spectrum however this is very much achievable for makeup artists who excel, continually book lots of clients and earn themselves a great reputation.

The average makeup artist salary in Australia is around $53,000 per year and $25 an hour – so before you get too excited about earning the big bucks, make sure you’re okay with the average as many people will hover around this rate.

If you’re just starting as a makeup artist, you also need to be realistic about your salary and the rates that you charge your clients… a top salary is something that you need to work up to!

There are some key factors that will impact what you earn as a makeup artist, including:

  1. Your level of experience.
    A makeup artist with 6 months of experience cannot expect to earn as much as a makeup artist with 5 years experience and a bigger portfolio. That’s not to say that you can’t work your way up, but being realistic and honest with yourself about your skillsets in relation to the market rate is very important.
  2. Your chosen niche.
    Like any other job, your salary will also depend on where you work (for example someone starting out as a makeup artist at MAC may expect to earn more than someone starting out as a freelance makeup artist. Do your research and consider the going rate for any jobs that you apply for and if you’re hoping to be freelance, make sure that you can financially sustain it.
  3. Your location.
    If you’re becoming a makeup artist in a larger city like Sydney or Melbourne, you may have more opportunities open to you than in a smaller city such as Hobart. This is because larger cities will tend to have a more booming television, film, fashion and entertainment scene where MUAs are in very high demand. Of course the downside to this is that competition can be more fierce, so be prepared to fight extra hard for jobs! A smaller city may present you a lower quantity of opportunities but if competition is lower too, it can also be a great foot in the door. It’s up to you to weigh up the pros and cons!
  4. Your level of education and/or certification.
    If you’re a certified makeup artist, you’re likely to command a higher salary than a makeup artist who has no formal makeup training. Employers will always be willing to pay more for someone who has a certification to prove that they have the professional skills required to do an excellent job!

Other things to consider:

Don’t be discouraged by the idea of working your way up the earnings ladder as a Makeup Artist! It is just the same in almost every industry. Also try to consider that the salary you take home isn’t always your full compensation package. For example, some employers may have staff benefits such as employee/staff discounts on makeup or provision of additional industry training to further your career.

If you’re wanting to increase your pay as a makeup artist, there are some proactive steps that you can take alongside allowing yourself the time to gain industry experience, such as:

  • Getting more training
  • Learning new skills & adding new certifications to your portfolio
  • Specialising in a niche of makeup artistry
  • Working in a different area where you feel your prospects are better
  • Improving your portfolio
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Cert II in Retail Cosmetics

How to Become a Makeup Artist

Kick start your career in the makeup world by enrolling in a Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics, this course is one of the quickest pathways to get yourself into the makeup workforce and start you career in this highly sought after industry.

  • Basic skills in workplace communication
  • Client interaction
  • Demonstrate makeup and retail skin care products
  • Performing standard store functions
  • Research and apply beauty industry information
  • Create and apply make-up
  • Conduct financial transactions
  • Apply worksafe practices

Every academy will offer slightly different outcomes so ensure you fully investigate and compare each institute to compare the different offerings before committing to a course.

Once you have completed the cert II you will be qualified to work in retail as a sales consultant working with cosmetic products and services. You will be able to apply for roles at department stores and hair and beauty salons. So get that resume prepped as your dreams of getting behind that M.A.C or Urban Decay counter are not too far away!

Course Info:

The Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics will vary depending on which institute you sign up with, however generally the course should take around 4 month studying 1-2 days per week.

Course Code: SHB20116
Accreditation: Naturally recognised qualification at Cert II level
Cost: The cost of this course can vary greatly from around $1,500 up to $3,500
Financial Aid: Some Tafe’s do offer concession rates to eligible students, you can also apply for a VET student loan.

Further study opportunities include:

Click here to read more about  Certificate III in Makeup (SHB30125)
Click here to read more about  Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy (SHB40115)
Click here to read more about Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115)
Click here to also view additional specialist courses that you may be interested in to complement a Certificate II in Makeup and further hone your skills.

Training and qualification requirements for courses and Cert II’s and qualifications can vary from state to state for Retail Cosmetics, so please select your state to get specialist info on requirements in your state. It’s imperative to do your research!

Australian Capital Territory – (02) 6205 8555
New South Wales – 13 28 11
Northern Territory – (08) 8901 1357
Queensland – 1800 210 210
South Australia – 1800 673 097
Tasmania – 1800 655 846
Victoria – (03) 9651 9999
Western Australia – 13 19 54

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Specialist Makeup Courses/Directory

How to Become a Makeup Artist

Try using the myskills.gov.au website to find your certificate have selected a few of the top options from around Australia.

Perth/WA

Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
South Regional Tafe
WA Academy
Australian College of Specialist Makeup

Certificate III in Makeup
WA Academy
North Metro Tafe
Australian College of Specialist Makeup
Elite Hair & Makeup Academy
Perth College

Perth/WA

South Regional Tafe
Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
http://www.southregionaltafe.wa.edu.au/courses/certificate-ii-retail-cosmetics

WA Academy
Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
http://www.waacademy.com/course/shb20116-certificate-ii-in-retail-makeup-and-skin-care/

Australian College of Specialist Makeup
Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics
https://www.acsm.edu.au/courses/certificate-ii-retail-cosmetics/

WA Academy
Certificate III in Makeup
http://www.waacademy.com/course/shb30215-certificate-iii-in-make-up/

North Metro Tafe
Certificate III in Makeup
http://www.northmetrotafe.wa.edu.au/courses/certificate-iii-make

Australian College of Specialist Makeup
Certificate III in Makeup
https://www.acsm.edu.au/courses/certificate-iii-in-make-up/

Elite Hair & Makeup Academy
Certificate III in Makeup
https://www.elitemakeupacademy.com.au/product/12930/

Perth College
Certificate III in Makeup
http://www.perthcollege.com.au/beauty-courses/certificateIIIinmakeup

WA Academy
Diploma Of Screen And Media – Specialist Makeup Services
http://www.waacademy.com/course/cua51015-diploma-of-specialist-makeup-services/

WA Academy
Hairstyling for Makeup Artists
http://www.waacademy.com/course/hair-styling-for-makeup-artists/

WA Academy
Apply Airbrushed Makeup
http://www.waacademy.com/course/shbbmup005-apply-airbrushed-make-up/

Artists At Play
Industry Ready Certificate
http://www.artistsatplay.com.au/industry-ready/

Artists At Play
Beginners Certificate
http://www.artistsatplay.com.au/beginners-makeup-course/

Artists At Play
Fast Track Beginners Certificate
http://www.artistsatplay.com.au/personal-makeup-workshop/http://www.artistsatplay.com.au/fast-track-beginner-course/

Artists At Play
Pro Advanced Certificate
http://www.artistsatplay.com.au/proadvanced-makeup-course/

Australian College of Beauty Therapy
Certificate III in Beauty Services
https://www.acbt.edu.au/certificate-iii-beauty-services/

Australian College of Beauty Therapy
Diploma of Beauty Therapy
https://www.acbt.edu.au/diploma-of-beauty-therapy-course/

Elite Hair & Makeup Academy
Makeup Artist Essentials Course

https://www.elitemakeupacademy.com.au/product/makeup-artist-essentials/

 

Elite Hair & Makeup Academy
Advanced Makeup for Photography

https://www.elitemakeupacademy.com.au/product/advanced-makeup-for-photography/

 

Elite Hair & Makeup Academy
The Elite Makeup Course (Standard or Advanced options available)

https://www.elitemakeupacademy.com.au/product/the-elite-makeup-course/

Perth Makeup Academy
Certificate I in Makeup
http://www.perthmakeupacademy.com.au/beginners/

Perth Makeup Academy
Certificate II in Makeup
http://www.perthmakeupacademy.com.au/intermediate/

Perth Makeup Academy
Certificate III in Makeup
http://www.perthmakeupacademy.com.au/advanced/

Brisbane/QLD

Academy of Beauty
Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
https://academyofbeauty.com.au/makeup-courses/

Academy of Beauty
Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
https://academyofbeauty.com.au/makeup-courses/

 

Melbourne/VIC

Academy of Beauty
Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
https://academyofbeauty.com.au/makeup-courses/

Academy of Beauty
Diploma of Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services)
https://academyofbeauty.com.au/makeup-courses/

 

Online

The Institute of Makeup
Makeup Mastery Bootcamp
http://theinstituteofmakeup.com.au/makeup-mastery-bootcamp/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkKPVBRDtARIsAA2CG6FZZOyQAmgcl5bB0PYt2Y093StftblUH6wlcs33eUw06w_s5GiAiS8aAnRvEALw_wcB

 

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Financial Aid for Students

How to Become a Makeup Artist

Once you have decided upon your career path and researched the courses needed to obtain your qualification then it might be a good to start thinking about how you are going to not only pay for your course but also how you are going to manage while studying.

Australia has a great number of financial aid options available to eligible students but allowances will vary depending on each individuals personal circumstances. Prior to signing up or committing to a course ensure you have researched your eligibility first by checking with Centrelink.

Austudy – Austudy is financial aid for full-time students 25 years old and over and studying or an Australian Apprentice.

Abstudy – Abstudy is financial aid for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students or apprentices.

Youth Allowance – 24 years old or younger? you may qualify for youth allowance while studying.

Fares Allowance – Can help eligible students with the cost of travelling to and from your home to where you are studying.

Student bank loan – You may be able to receive a student bank loan to help with the cost of your school fees. Click here for more info. 

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